A triple-double is often seen as a sign of all-around skill. But some people think it doesn't always tell the fully story.
Take Larry Bird , for example. In his 1989 autobiography " Drive: The Story of My Life ," the legendary NBA forward explained why he thinks achieving a triple-double is actually an overrated part of the game.
Over the past decade, triple-doubles have become much more common in the league. What used to be a rare and impressive achievement is now almost expected from players who excel in multiple aspects of the game.
Currently, Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets dominates this trend, having led the league in triple-doubles three times within a span of four seasons . Sacramento Kings ' Domantas Sabonis also made a significant impact in the 2023-24 season. Before these two big men, Russell Westbrook — then with the Washington Wizards — topped the charts.
Westbrook 's career, spanning 17 years, is dotted with impressive triple-double performances, most notably his MVP-winning 2016–17 campaign, when he averaged a triple-double for the entire year.
Despite being widely praised for his versatility and all-around impact, the 6'4" point guard has not escaped criticism. Some say that Russ sometimes focuses more on getting triple-doubles than on actually helping his team win.
This so-called "stat-chasing," which his teammates have at times seemed to support, has raised questions about Westbrook's true priorities. Bird, a three-time NBA champion, brought up this issue when reflecting on his own playing time with the Boston Celtics .
"If other guys are playing well, you could do it, and it would be to the team's benefit," said "Larry Legend." "If they're not, what does it mean if you get a triple-double and we get beat?"
Before stars like Jokic, Sabonis and Westbrook dominated the triple-double conversation, earlier NBA legends had already laid the groundwork for this remarkable feat.
Oscar Robertson stands out as a true pioneer. In the 1961–62 season, playing for the Cincinnati Royals, he became the first player ever to average a triple-double for a whole year.
Magic Johnson, the Los Angeles Lakers icon, was also well known for his triple-double games. Even Larry, who had a fierce rivalry with Magic, said that the legendary 6'9" playmaker showed everyone what a true triple-double really means.
Bird himself was no stranger to triple-doubles , finishing his remarkable career with 69 total , including 10 in the playoffs. Still, the Hall of Famer downplayed the numbers in his book, saying that what really matters is not just collecting stats, but how those stats help the team win. In his words, "people make too much of triple-doubles."
The three-time MVP also made an important point about how assists are counted in today's game. He argued that the numbers can be inflated because players receive credit even when the scorer dribbles several times or uses a pump fake before scoring. For Bird, this lessens the true value of an assist.
Often, when "Larry Legend" speaks, it's wise to listen closely. This is especially true now when the 68-year-old talks about triple-doubles. After all, it's easy to believe that a prime Larry Bird would effortlessly rack them up in today's NBA.
